Legal Opinions

SHARWOOD William Henry

Born 29 December 1972 at Ballarat, Victoria. Educated Ballarat State School and School of Mines, and privately. Employed in Victorian Crown Law Department from December 1889. Transferred to Commonwealth Crown Solicitor's Office in Melbourne as chief clerk 1905. Part-time legal study at University of Melbourne. Admitted High Court, September 1916. Appointed Assistant Crown Solicitor July 1917. Acted Judge Supreme Court of the Northern Territory on occasions in 1922 and 1932–33. Crown Solicitor from government's move to Canberra in May 1927 through Depression years. Major achievements included contribution to litigation in the Privy Council concerning the Australian Wool Realization Scheme, drafting of 1928 Financial Agreement between the Commonwealth and States, negotiations concerning the establishment of the Loans Council and work associated with repayment of repatriation advances. Community contributions included presidencies of Rotary and Bowling Clubs. Awarded ISO 1935. Retired December 1936. Conducted inquiry into aspects of administration of Commonwealth railways 1939. Chairman of Aliens Tribunal in Victoria during Second World War. Died aged 71 on 8 November 1944 at Richmond, Victoria.

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